Qatari shipping company Nakilat is joining forces with Qatari LNG producers Qatargas and RasGas to undertake a project to convert a Q-Max vessel to run on LNG, according to Gulf news agency The Peninsula.
The project re-enforces Qatar’s commitment to the environment, with the project set to significantly reduce the ship’s exhaust emissions.
The Qatari trio have joined forces with engine manufacturers MAN Diesel and Turbo to convert the ship’s engine to run on LNG rather than the traditional heavy fuel oil that it currently uses.
The ship’s transformation will be completed by Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine Company at its Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard facilities in Qatar’s Port of Ras Laffan.
The refitted Q-Max will be the first marine diesel engine to be fuelled by LNG. With the control of greenhouse gas and exhaust gas emissions having a high priority in today’s shipping industry, it could be the first of many.
International Maritime Organisations regulations on emission rates of ships are expected to take effect in January 2015. The regulations apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.
